The effects of opioids on sexual function

A new study found that 53.3% to 81.7% of patients who were opioid dependant (addicted) whad problems of sexual dysfunction.1

Two studies from the same team of Spanish researchers offer more evidence: The first study is from the Journal of Sexual Medicine. These researchers suggest:

Long-term opioid therapy has been found to have a strong impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (components of the endocrine system that have an impact on reproductive health and the immune system) , that can be manifested clinically by sexual dysfunction This event is rarely reported and thus unnoticed and undertreated.

Men reported sexual dysfunction significantly more frequently than women (33% vs 25%) although the men reported having a regular partner (84% vs 70%) and a sexually active life (69% vs 34%) significantly more often.

Sexual dysfunction SD is prevalent in patients with chronic non-cancer pain and higher in men who received a significantly higher mean opioid dose at the same intensity pain level than women.

Evidence-based interventions to support sexual activity and function in non-cancer pain are needed.1

In second study, published in February 2017 addressed the problems related to men and explored Erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic pain treated with opioids.

In this study the doctors found:

One of the most relevant side effects of opioid analgesics is erectile dysfunction due in part to the inhibition of the gonadal-pituitary-hypothalamic axis and the decline in testosterone levels.

Erectile dysfunction was observed in 27.6% of patients on opioids.

After 6 months, 42% of those patients showed a significant improvement after being treated with iPDE5 – Viagra (48.5%) and/or testosterone gel (81.8%).

Erectile function and quality of sexual life, as well as anxiety, improved in patients treated chronically with opioids after administering andrological treatment. The management of patients with pain should include a review of their sexual health history given the significant emotional impact posed to the patient, the impact on their overall quality of life and its good clinical response to an interdisciplinary treatment.